Publius Ovidius Naso
Now since the sea’s great surges sweep me on,
All canvas spread, hear me! In all creation
Nothing endures, all is in endless flux
Each wandering shape a pilgrim passing by
And time itself glides on in ceaseless flow,
A rolling stream–and streams can never stay,
Nor lightfoot hours. As wave is driven by wave
And each, pursued, pursues the wave ahead,
So time flies on and follows, flies and follows,
Always, for ever new. What was before
Is left behind; what never was is now;
And every passing moment is renewed.